Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1037465
LE TONGLET TAKES OVER POINTS LEAD WITH DALLAS VICTORY R acing in the thick of a late- season points battle with a championship on the line is something most NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle riders would describe as nerve-racking or stressful, but to Nitro Fish Su- zuki's LE Tonglet, its good fun. Tonglet, long known for his ability to deal with pressure, scored a clutch win when he rode past White Alligator Suzuki teammate Jerry Savoie in the final round of the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nation- als in Dallas, October 5-7. Tonglet got off the starting line first and held on for a close win with his 6.89-second run beating Savoie's 6.90. Both riders were well over 190-mph at the finish line. "It was just a lot of fun," Tonglet said of his fourth win of the season. "It was fun in the pit while we were trying to get the bikes cooled off for the final round. Once we came up to the starting line, I didn't even look at Jerry and he didn't look at me. It was just all business. We're lead- ing the points now though, and we're not going to look back." Tonglet was tenacious in earning the 20th victory of his career. Starting from the number-five spot, his path to the final includes races against Screamin' Eagle Harley-David- son teammates Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec, as well as Liberty Buell's Angelle Sampey. Krawiec, Hines and Sampey are three of the four most successful riders in the history of NHRA's two-wheel class, and have com- bined for nearly 140 event wins and 12 world championships. Tonglet easily got past Hines and Sampey, but needed his quickest run of the weekend—a 6.89—to beat Krawiec in the final four round. That win was crucial since it gave Tonglet the points lead for the first time this season. "You know, I don't really spend a lot of time thinking about points," Tonglet said. "Most of the time I don't even look at them but I did know that was a big round. When I ran [against] Eddie, I knew that whoever won that round was going to be the leader. It didn't make me want to beat him anymore than I already did, but it was good to know. "We've got the lead now and I don't plan on giving it back," Tonglet said. "We've been in this spot before and we know how to get it done. I had a good shot [at LE Tonglet scored a big win at the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class at Dallas. The win puts him into the series points lead. Eddie Krawiec had a productive weekend. He didn't reach the final, but gained ground in the championship. IN THE WIND P34